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Cyclopidae (Crustacea, Copepoda) from the upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil

Cyclopidae (Crustacea, Copepoda) da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná, Brasil

Abstracts

Cyclopid copepods from samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes and plancton obtained in lotic and lentic environments were obtained from the upper Paraná River floodplain (in the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). Macrophytes were collected in homogeneous stands and washed. Plankton samples, taken from the water column surface and bottom, were obtained using a motor pump, with a 70 mum mesh plankton net for filtration. Twelve taxa of Cyclopidae were identified. Among them, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, Paracyclops chiltoni, Ectocyclops rubescens, Homocyclops ater, Eucyclops solitarius, Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus, Mesocyclops ogunnus, and Microcyclops finitimus were new finds for this floodplain. Eight species were recorded exclusively in aquatic macrophyte samples. Among these species, M. albidus albidus and M. finitimus presented greatest abundances. Only four species were recorded in plankton samples, and Thermocyclops minutus and Thermocyclops decipiens are limited to this type of habitat. Among these four species, T. minutus is the most abundant, especially in lentic habitats.

Cyclopidae; taxonomy; phytophyle fauna; zooplankton; Paraná River


Foram obtidos copépodes cyclopídeos de amostras de fauna associadas a macrófitas aquáticas e plâncton de ambientes lóticos e lênticos da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná (nos Estados do Paraná e Mato Grosso do Sul). As amostras foram coletadas em bancos homogêneos e lavadas. As amostras de plâncton, tomadas à superfície e fundo da coluna de água, foram obtidas com o auxílio de uma motobomba, utilizando-se uma rede de plâncton de abertura de malha de 70 mim para filtração. Doze táxons de Cyclopidae foram identificados. Entre eles, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, Paracyclops chiltoni, Ectocyclops rubescens, Homocyclops ater, Eucyclops solitarius, Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus, Mesocyclops ogunnus e Microcyclops finitimus representam novos registros para essa planície. Oito espécies foram registradas exclusivamente em amostras de macrófitas aquáticas. Entre essas, M. albidus albidus e M. finitimus são as mais abundantes. Somente quatro espécies foram registradas em amostras de plâncton, e Thermocyclops minutus e Thermocyclops decipiens são exclusivas para esse tipo de habitat. Dessas quatro espécies, T. minutus é a mais abundante, especialmente em ambientes lênticos.

Cyclopidae; taxonomia; fauna fitófila; zooplâncton; rio Paraná


CYCLOPIDAE (CRUSTACEA, COPEPODA) FROM THE UPPER PARANÁ RIVER FLOODPLAIN, BRAZIL

LANSAC-TÔHA, F. A., VELHO, L. F. M., HIGUTI, J.and TAKAHASHI, E. M.

Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Nupélia, Department of Biology, Postgraduate Course in Ecology of Continental Aquatic Environments, Av. Colombo, 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil

Correspondence to: Fábio Amodêo Lansac-Tôha, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Nupélia, Department of Biology, Postgraduate Course in Ecology of Continental Aquatic Environments, Av. Colombo, 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil, e-mail: fabio@nupelia.uem.br

Received March 24, 2000 ¾ Accepted November 29, 2000 ¾ Distributed February 28, 2002

(With 6 figures)

ABSTRACT

Cyclopid copepods from samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes and plancton obtained in lotic and lentic environments were obtained from the upper Paraná River floodplain (in the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). Macrophytes were collected in homogeneous stands and washed. Plankton samples, taken from the water column surface and bottom, were obtained using a motor pump, with a 70 mm mesh plankton net for filtration. Twelve taxa of Cyclopidae were identified. Among them, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, Paracyclops chiltoni, Ectocyclops rubescens, Homocyclops ater, Eucyclops solitarius, Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus, Mesocyclops ogunnus, and Microcyclops finitimus were new finds for this floodplain. Eight species were recorded exclusively in aquatic macrophyte samples. Among these species, M. albidus albidus and M. finitimus presented greatest abundances. Only four species were recorded in plankton samples, and Thermocyclops minutus and Thermocyclops decipiens are limited to this type of habitat. Among these four species, T. minutus is the most abundant, especially in lentic habitats.

Key words: Cyclopidae, taxonomy, phytophyle fauna, zooplankton, Paraná River.

RESUMO

Cyclopidae (Crustacea, Copepoda) da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná, Brasil

Foram obtidos copépodes cyclopídeos de amostras de fauna associadas a macrófitas aquáticas e plâncton de ambientes lóticos e lênticos da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná (nos Estados do Paraná e Mato Grosso do Sul). As amostras foram coletadas em bancos homogêneos e lavadas. As amostras de plâncton, tomadas à superfície e fundo da coluna de água, foram obtidas com o auxílio de uma motobomba, utilizando-se uma rede de plâncton de abertura de malha de 70 mm para filtração. Doze táxons de Cyclopidae foram identificados. Entre eles, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, Paracyclops chiltoni, Ectocyclops rubescens, Homocyclops ater, Eucyclops solitarius, Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus, Mesocyclops ogunnus e Microcyclops finitimus representam novos registros para essa planície. Oito espécies foram registradas exclusivamente em amostras de macrófitas aquáticas. Entre essas, M. albidus albidus e M. finitimus são as mais abundantes. Somente quatro espécies foram registradas em amostras de plâncton, e Thermocyclops minutus e Thermocyclops decipiens são exclusivas para esse tipo de habitat. Dessas quatro espécies, T. minutus é a mais abundante, especialmente em ambientes lênticos.

Palavras-chave: Cyclopidae, taxonomia, fauna fitófila, zooplâncton, rio Paraná.

INTRODUCTION

In Brazil, studies of cyclopid copepods have traditionally been dealt with prior to their biological and ecological aspects. Among the studies developed about taxonomic aspects, those undertaken by Reid (1985) include the development of identification keys and list of references for South American freshwater species. Recently, Rocha & Botelho (1998) reviewed cyclopoid species recorded in Brazil, providing information on taxonomy and geographical distribution of the species.

Research was carried out in the floodplain of the upper Paraná River, and species composition of cyclopid copepods from samples of both fauna associated with aquatic macrophyte and plankton are described.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cyclopid copepods from Eichhornia azurea Kunth associated fauna and plankton samples were obtained from lotic and lentic environments from the upper Paraná River floodplain, states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul (22o40'-22o50'S, 53o10'-53o40'W), Brazil (Fig. 1), from March 1992 to February 1993. Macrophytes were collected in homogeneous stands washed in pails with formaldehyde 4% solution. Plankton samples were obtained by horizontal and vertical hauls and a pump. A plankton net, mesh size of 70 mm for filtration, was used. Samples were taken at different depths in the pelagic region and from the surface of the littoral region.


For identification of different taxa, organisms were separated, mounted on slides with glycerin, analyzed, and measured by Wild M20 microscope. Sketches of organisms were made with a drawing tube. Measurements were taken with a pre-calibrated micrometric eyepiece. In the case of Ectocyclops rubescens (Brady), males were also used.

Material was placed in the zooplankton laboratory of the Research Nucleus in Limnology, Ichthology, and Aquaculture of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.

RESULTS

Ectocyclops rubescens Brady, 1904 (Fig. 2a, b, c)


Herbst, 1962: 268-269, figs. 24-31; Reid, 1985: 35, fig. 4; Morton, 1990: 670-672, fig. 7.

Commentaries: This species is common in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes from lentic and lotic environments of the upper Paraná River floodplain. It was not registered in plankton samples. This is the first record for the upper Paraná River floodplain.

Eucyclops solitarius Herbst, 1959 (Fig. 2d, e, f)

Herbst, 1959: 49, figs. 1-4; Reid, 1985: 39, figs. 121-123; Defaye & Dussart, 1988: 118, figs. 81-87.

Commentaries: E. solitarius is rare in the upper Paraná River floodplain. It had only been registered only in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes from lentic and lotic environments. This is the first record for this floodplain.

Homocyclops ater (Herrick, 1882) (Fig. 2g, h, i, j)

Reid, 1985: 31, figs. 59-61; Fallavena, 1985, fig. 6 (as Macrocyclops ater); Montú & Goeden, 1986: 111, fig. 34 (as Macrocyclops ater).

Commentaries: Rare species in the upper Paraná River floodplain. It had only been registered in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes from lentic environments. This is the first record for the upper Paraná River floodplain.

Macrocyclops albidus albidus (Jurine, 1820) (Fig. 3a, b, c, d)


Dussart, 1984: fig. 13; Reid, 1985: 32, figs. 66-69; Fallavena, 1985, fig. 5 (as M. albidus); Montú & Goeden, 1986: 116, fig. 35-i (as M. albidus); Chengalath & Shih, 1994: 2425-2426, fig. 3.

Commentaries: Abundant species in the floodplain in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes; greater abundance in lotic environments. It had not been recorded in plankton samples. This is the first record for the upper Paraná River floodplain.

Paracyclops chiltoni (Thomson, 1882) (Fig. 3 e, f, g, h)

Smith & Fernando, 1978: 2022, figs. 40-42; Reid, 1985: 34, fig. 75; Dussart & Frutos, 1986: pl. IX, figs. 60-61; Suárez-Morales et al., 1996: 179, fig.62; Karaytug & Boxshall, 1998: 590-598, figs. 17-23.

Commentaries: This species is common in the upper Paraná River floodplain in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes from lentic and lotic environments. It had not been recorded in plankton samples. This is the first record of the species for this floodplain.

Mesocyclops meridianus (Kiefer, 1926) (Fig. 4a, b, c)


Dussart, 1984: 60, fig. 26; 1987: 152, figs. 27-35; Reid, 1985: 45-46, figs. 183-186; Dussart & Frutos, 1985: 313, figs. 56-59; Silva et al., 1989: 729, figs. 155-183; Reid & Pinto Coelho, 1994: 361.

Commentaries: Frequent and abundant species in lentic and lotic environments of the upper Paraná River floodplain in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes, with greater abundances in lentic environments. It has been recorded in plankton samples, but in low frequence and abundance.

Mesocyclops ogunnus Onabamiro, 1957 (Fig. 4d, e, f, g, h, i)

Onabamiro, 1957: 125, figs. 7-12; Dussart & Fernando, 1988: 241, 250-251, figs. 28-30; Boxshall & Braide, 1991: 208-209, 212, fig. 64; Reid & Kay, 1992: 331, 336-339, fig. 3d-f; Reid & Pinto-Coelho, 1994: 360-361.

Commentaries: M. ogunnus, an Afro-Asian species recently introduced into Brazil, in Furnas Reservoir situated in the south of Minas Gerais, partly bordering São Paulo State (Reid & Pinto-Coelho, 1994). Rare in lentic and lotic environments of the upper Paraná River floodplain, and recorded only in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes. It is the first record for this floodplain.

Mesocyclops longisetus curvatus Dussart, 1987 (Fig. 4j, k, l, m)

Dussart, 1987: 150, 156, figs. 3-4, 7-8; Reid & Reed, 1994: 80-82, figs. 1-2; Reid & Pinto-Coelho, 1994: 367; Suárez-Morales et al., 1996: 12, figs. 33-35, 89 a-b.

Commentaries: This species is common in the upper Paraná River floodplain, in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes. Greater abundance in lentic environments. This is the first register for this floodplain.

Microcyclops anceps anceps (Richard, 1897) (Fig. 5a, b, c, d, e, f)


Richard, 1897: 265, figs. 1-4; Sendacz & Kubo, 1982: 81, figs. 72-75 (as M. anceps); Matsumura-Tundisi & Rocha, 1983: fig. VI (as M. anceps); Reid, 1985: 54, figs. 4-16; Rocha, 1998: 427-429, pl. I, figs. 1-2 , pl. II, fig. 13, pl. III, fig. 17.

Commentaries: Frequent species in the floodplain with greater abundance in lentic environments, especially in samples of fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes.

Microcyclops finitimus Dussart, 1984 (Fig. 5g, h, i, j, k, l,)

Dussart, 1984: 57-58, fig. 19A; Silva et al., 1989: 729, figs. 184-197; Rocha, 1998: 427-429, pl. I, fig. 7, pl. II, fig. 12, pl. III, fig. 18.

Commentaries: Abundant species in lentic and lotic environments of the upper Paraná River floodplain in fauna associated with aquatic macrophytes. It had not been recorded in plankton samples. This is the first register for the upper Paraná River floodplain.

Thermocyclops decipiens (Kiefer, 1929) (Fig. 6a, b, c)


Sendacz & Kubo, 1982: 75-76, figs. 44-57 (as T. crassus); Reid, 1985: 49, figs. 224-227; Defaye et al., 1987: 3145, figs. 11-19.

Commentaries: Frequent and abundant species in plankton samples of the upper Paraná River floodplain.

Greatest densities have been registered in lentic environments.

Thermocyclops minutus (Lowndes, 1934) (Fig. 6d, e, f, g)

Lowndes, 1934: 113, fig. 10 (as Mesocyclops minutus); Sendacz & Kubo, 1982: 76, figs. 51-56; Matsumura-Tundisi & Rocha, 1983, figs. I. 2; Reid, 1985: 49, figs 217-219.

Commentaries: T. minutus is the most frequent and abundant species of copepods in plankton samples of the upper Paraná River floodplain. Greatest abundance of this species is in lentic environments.

DISCUSSION

Species richness of cyclopoid copepods associated with Eichhornia azurea was greater than that found in plankton samples collected in the same type of habitats from the upper Paraná River floodplain.

Among the most frequent and abundant species of phytophile fauna, such as Microcyclops anceps anceps, M. finitimus, Macrocyclops albidus albidus, and Mesocyclops meridianus, only M. anceps anceps and M. meridianus have been recorded in low frequency and low abundance in plankton samples. Inversely, the most frequent and abundant species in the plankton, Thermocyclops minutus and T. decipiens were not found associated with E. azurea.

Paggi (pers. comm.) suggested that there is a transversal gradient of abundance in which cyclopids increase in richness and abundance from the pelagic region toward the littoral region.

According to McLachlan (1969), predadors seem to be favored by the great compactness of aquatic macrophyte banks. In the present study the occurrence of many predatory cyclopid species suggests the use of macrophytes as hiding place (Strixino & Strixino, 1984). The animals might better exercise their predatory strategies in those banks.

Acknowledgments — We thank Prof. Dr. William M. Silva for suggestions and comments, Prof. Dr. Luiz Carlos Gomes for assistance with the English text, and Prof. Dr. Alice Michiyo Takeda for supplying Cyclopidae from aquatic macrophyte samples. This study was supported by PADCT/CIAMB and NUPELIA/UEM.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    10 July 2002
  • Date of issue
    Feb 2002

History

  • Accepted
    29 Nov 2000
  • Received
    24 Mar 2000
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